Community Wellbeing Calendar & Programs
Our community mental health programs offer individuals a valuable opportunity to engage in collective healing and enhance our overall relational health. By consistently creating spaces that prioritize safety, trust, and visibility in mental health care, we move beyond the stigma that often surrounds it, acknowledging our shared journey toward healing and growth. These efforts foster a sense of connection and empowerment, reinforcing that mental health is a collective responsibility and a vital part of our shared humanity.
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To explore more about our community mental health and wellness services, we invite you to review our weekly calendar and program descriptions below. Together, we can create a supportive environment where healing thrives for all.
Community Wellness Programs
These groups run seasonally throughout the year
Daughters of Tradition
Healing Through Sisterhood
Girls in Leadership​
Our CAM™ informed Daughters of Tradition (DOT) Indigenous Intertribal and Intergenerational Youth Group founded in 2017, evolved from the seminal work of Elder Coyhis, Founder of White Bison. A community-led approach, our girls focus on bridging the gap to wellness through matriarchal leadership, sisterhood and community building. As a cornerstone to improving their mental health, wellness, and advocacy skills, they are the change advocates to violence prevention and healing-informed CAM™ Next Generation Cycle Starters™
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Youth on Mental Health
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Our DOT girls learn from our CAM™ trained therapists, healers and advocates to offer mental health tips and mentorship support to peers and to ready them in being the next generation of healers, helpers and leaders in our communities.
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Women's Healing Circles
​The Women’s Relational Healing Support Group meets for 12 weeks during the Spring and Fall, and 10 weeks in the summer, creating a powerful circle of strength and support. Participants embark on a journey of self-exploration through self-study, integrating weekly CAM™ themes, practicing therapeutic techniques, journaling, and engaging in art therapy.
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These talking circles foster a nurturing space for vulnerability, allowing women to share, release, heal, and grow both individually and collectively.
Healing Through Healthy Relationships
Sons of Tradition (SOT)
Healing Through Brotherhood
Sons of Tradition (SOT) is an all-Indigenous boys youth group focused on mentorship, violence prevention, intervention, and restorative justice. Launched in 2023, our program utilizes a CAM™ informed approach to empower young people through learning and personal growth. Participants engage in self-care practices, develop coping skills, and receive peer mentorship while acquiring effective de-escalation techniques. Importantly, the group emphasizes processing emotions and building healthy relationships within their families and communities.
Our dedicated facilitators are certified by the White Bison Wellbriety Training Institute, ensuring that they are well-equipped to support the youth in their transformative journeys. Through the Sons of Tradition program, we aim to create a supportive environment where young Indigenous boys can thrive, build resilience, and reconnect with their cultural heritage while fostering a strong sense of community.
S.P.A.C.E. For Kids
Healing Through Play
Sensory Play Attunement Connection and Engagement (S.P.A.C.E.) for Kids™offers an innovative, healing-centered approach designed to help children build a deeper understanding of themselves and their interactions with the world. Led by our skilled Occupational Therapists, we create a nurturing environment that emphasizes sensory engagement, play, and meaningful connection, promoting emotional growth and overall well-being.
In this safe and supportive space, children are encouraged to explore their emotions, strengthen relationships, and develop a heightened awareness of their minds and bodies. Through engaging activities focused on movement, sensory exploration, and self-regulation, we empower children to enhance their emotional resilience, improve their social connections, and thrive in all areas of life.
Young Adult Life Skills
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The Young Adult Life Skills program supports individuals with Autism, Intellectual or Developmental Disabilities, or differing abilities in their journey toward greater independence year-round. We provide a safe, supportive, and structured environment that encourages participants to share their successes and collaboratively problem-solve everyday challenges.
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Focusing on essential skills for independent living, the program covers areas such as cooking, budgeting, relationship-building, and decision-making. Participants are empowered to navigate the world with confidence while gaining a deeper understanding of their minds and bodies. Through this program, they learn valuable skills and modifications that help them thrive independently and within their communities, fostering personal growth and connection.
Healing Through Our Strengths
Elders Book Club
Healing Through Our Ancestors Stories
Elders Healing book Club is both the flagship and heart of our HIR Wellness book club healing Historical Trauma approach for Native Victims of Crime. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, the book club would meet at Native-community partnering agencies in Milwaukee, WI. Our elders group has now expanded to include in person and online access to continue these emotional support services.
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There is an ever-growing interest to expand our elder healing programming. Currently, our elders reside locally to across the state.
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There is no limit to the healing spirit. It is an honor and privilege to bring this healing historical trauma book club to our community elders who come to read, share, and heal their stories together.
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Elders Power Up
Healing Through Our Bodies
During our Elders Power-Up Hour our Occupational Therapy team empowers Elders by offering tailored stretching and exercise programs that enhance strength and daily engagement. We provide guidance on home modifications to promote safety and independence and introduce the Peacemaker Massage to improve body awareness.
Immediately following the Elders Book Club or Elders Social Hour, the Elders Power-Up group focuses on intentional movement and holistic well-being, incorporating activities like modified stretching, low-impact exercises, and chair hula. Each session is personalized to affirm that every effort contributes to the overall health and happiness of our Elders, fostering a strong sense of community and support.
Story Menders™
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Story Menders™ is a transformative youth group designed for Indigenous youth, where we harness the power of storytelling and healing through the Indigenous Role-Playing Game (RPG), Coyote & Crow. Our program is dedicated to fostering a healing-informed and accessible environment for our relatives, enabling participants to build confidence, enhance communication and coping skills, strengthen decision-making abilities, and cultivate a sense of community.
In this group, our youth engaged deeply in the art of story building and character development, collaborating with our art therapist to bring their unique characters to life. Supported by our Story Guide Facilitator and counselors, they navigated the rich narratives created within the game. At the culmination of the group, participants present the characters and worlds they developed, sharing their characters’ backstories and celebrating their creativity and growth. Through this heartfelt journey, our youth not only hone their skills but also build lasting connections with one another, solidifying their sense of belonging and purpose.
Healing Through Role Play
Gatherers of Tradition
Healing Through Our Community
Gatherers of Tradition (GOT) is an inspiring Indigenous Youth Summer Mental Health Day Camp designed to empower and uplift our youth. Here, participants dive into their healing, fostering connections that strengthen their self-identity, self-esteem, and healthy coping. The program not only emphasizes the importance of traditional knowledge and practices but also equips our young leaders with essential coping skills and tools for self-advocacy. Our camp creates a nurturing community where youth can thrive, share their stories, and build lasting friendships.
CAM Rainbow Hearts™
Healing Through Our Self-Love
The CAM Rainbow Hearts™ program is guided by a compassionate team that includes licensed counselors, social workers, and mental health interns. Each session begins with a Healing Circle—to create a safe space to explore feelings, learn new skills, and learn ways to manage stress. The program offers lifesaving skills around suicide prevention, community resources, and fosters an inclusive and healing informed environment for all.
In our Healing Hearts activity table, youth engage in wellness exercises and learn invaluable coping skills, while group activities promote self-awareness, advocacy, and empowerment. Each participant also has the opportunity to create a crochet kindness heart, work with art therapists and advocates, which serves as a tangible reminder of the supportive community they help build.
Men's Healing Groups
Healing Through Our Healthy Relationships
The Men's Relational Healing Support Group fosters a strong sense of community. Participants explore our CAM™ themes, such as creating healthy boundaries, practicing healthy risks, understanding our roots, and ancestral wisdom, through self-studies and therapeutic techniques facilitated by our CAM™ Providers. ​
Weekly CAM™ LIVES
These virtual groups run Monday-Friday
Reflections & Resilience (R&R)
Healing Through Our Cultural Teachings
Facebook LIVES focus on creating a safe online community for survivors of violence to learn new ways to cope, heal, advocate, and network together. All our facilitators are trained in trauma-informed care and culturally respectful practices to offer a diverse and Indigenous-based or -inspired healing to our community members on a routine basis.
These practices are there to increase relational health, decrease anxiety and depression and offer therapeutic support. The medicine shared in our daily LIVES include cultural storytelling, breathing exercises, smudging, affirmations, relaxation techniques, and more.
All live HIR Wellness programs have mental health professionals available for support.
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Radical Joy
Healing Through Our Hurt
Join us for Radical Joy, a transformative Facebook LIVE program that streams every Friday, dedicated to cultivating the practice of choosing joy within our lives. In times when joy feels elusive, this program provides a healing-informed space for relatives to explore ways to invite joy—even in brief moments. As part of our CAM™ Community Activated Medicine™ Framework, we come together to engage in joyous activities that nourish the spirit and empower the heart.
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Led by our community healers and mental health professionals, participants will explore music, movement, and meaningful connections to discover pathways to radical joy. Embracing joy is not only a personal act of self-care but also a powerful coping skill.
Children's Fire Book Club
Healing Through Our Stories
The Children's Fire Book Club is an engaging Facebook LIVE program where our integrated and interdisciplinary team of interns—comprising social work, counseling, occupational therapy, art therapy, psychology, and human services—come together to read to children. Each session features carefully selected kid and family-friendly books designed to facilitate discussions around healthy coping skills and emotional well-being, all while connecting children to important concepts about their mental health.
Join us for our live sessions and ignite a love for reading while nurturing the emotional growth of the children in our community!
Online & Onsite Grief & Vigil Circles
Healing Through Our Heaviness
Grief Circles is a compassionate program designed to support individuals experiencing grief and loss, recognizing that mourning is a communal journey rather than a solitary one. In these circles, we acknowledge that grief can manifest in many forms—whether from the loss of a loved one or the absence of something deeply meaningful in our lives or communities. Our gatherings offer a safe and nurturing space where participants can connect, share, and hold space for one another as they navigate the complexities of heartache, confusion, shock, and disbelief.
Together, we create an environment for prayer, reflection, and heartfelt connection, emphasizing the importance of continued support in coping with loss. Grief is a journey that requires time and understanding, and our Grief Circles provide a consistent source of solace and companionship, allowing individuals to honor their feelings and find comfort within a supportive community.
Helpers & Healers (H&H) Series
These are drop-in services on Wednesdays and Fridays 12:00 PM - 6:00 PM (CST)
Heart Art Studio
Healing Through Our Creativity
Step into a nurturing and supportive space where healing begins with creativity. At our Drop-in Heart Art Studio, we invite you to explore a variety of heart-centered art activities designed to nourish your mind, body, heart, and spirit. Rooted in CAM™-Informed themes, each week’s offerings aim to deepen your healing journey, helping you connect with yourself and express your emotions through the transformative power of art.
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During your visit, you can choose your level of support through our “Choose Your Support” options, allowing you to tailor your experience. Simply follow the Healing Art Activity Instructions provided at the art tables or throughout the studio, and explore a variety of materials to create your own unique healing art piece. This space is dedicated to fostering connection, reflection, and personal growth—understanding the profound impact that creative expression can have on your overall well-being.
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HeartMath
Healing Through Our Heart
​Our Drop-in HeartMath Lab is a welcoming space for individuals to slow down and reconnect with their hearts. Utilizing a science-based meditation technique, HeartMath incorporates breathing exercises aimed at improving emotional well-being and reducing stress.
The primary goal is to increase coherence, enhance body functioning, and mitigate the impacts of stress and negative emotions. ​Our trained team of mental health professionals' guides participants in using these breathing techniques to teach regulation and coping strategies.
Integrating HeartMath into daily life brings numerous benefits, including relief from stress and anxiety, improved health and wellness, enhanced spirituality, and increased performance.
Join us at the HeartMath Lab to discover how these practices can foster a greater sense of balance and well-being.
Sound Healing & Mother Cacao Ceremonies
Healing Through Ceremony
The Mother Cacao Ceremony offers a unique opportunity to connect with our heart space and breathe in gratitude, serving as an integral part of our grief support, substance use recovery, and trauma recovery efforts.
Incorporating sound healing into the ceremony, we harness the power of sound vibrations to promote health and well-being. This alternative therapy can help reduce stress, anxiety, and depression while improving sleep, lowering blood pressure, and fostering a greater sense of overall wellness.
Guided Meditations & Relaxation
Healing Through Our Minds
Our Guided Meditations & Relaxation program provides a nurturing drop-in space for individuals navigating grief, offering a moment to pause and simply be. Led by trained mental health professionals, these guided meditations are designed to facilitate rest, repair, and relaxation, helping participants find solace during difficult times.
This is a supportive environment where our relatives can immerse themselves in calming practices that promote emotional healing and inner peace.
Reiki Sessions
Healing Through Our Energy
Somatic healing programs are designed to provide a compassionate practice where relatives can share the emotional heaviness they may be carrying and learn tangible ways to release their hurt. Our trained mental health professionals and certified reiki practioners are dedicated to serving the unique needs of each individual, ensuring that every person feels heard, respected, and valued as they navigate their feelings.
Reiki is a holistic healing practice that involves the gentle, non-invasive transfer of universal life energy through the hands of a practitioner. The intention is to promote physical, emotional, and spiritual balance by channeling energy to areas of the body in need of healing. This practice helps to release blockages, reduce stress, and restore harmony within the body and mind.
In trauma treatment, particularly for victims of violence, Reiki is used as a tool to help individuals reconnect with their bodies and reclaim their sense of safety. Trauma can often leave lasting imprints in the form of physical tension, emotional distress, and an unsettled spirit. Reiki supports the healing process by encouraging relaxation, reducing anxiety, and helping to release stored trauma energy. It creates a calm, nurturing environment where individuals can begin to heal at their own pace, fostering a sense of empowerment, peace, and resilience.
Emotional Support
Healing Through Our Connections
Our Social and Emotional Support services are thoughtfully designed to offer a compassionate care for addressing heavy hearted and emotional burdens. Led by trained mental health professionals, this program is tailored to meet the unique needs of each person, ensuring they feel heard, respected, and valued as they navigate their emotions. While not a therapy session, it provides an essential connection that can help inspire the next step in your healing journey.
We prioritize creating a supportive atmosphere, beginning with the intentional setup of our space and extending to the warm, welcoming experience each individual receives upon arrival.
